GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1802, 29 November 1879, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Fbiday, Novembee 28. On the motion of Mr Hast, it was ordered that within thirty days of the opening of next session a return should be ready showing the number of electors in the colony subject to the proposed property tox, and the number not subject thereto. Third readings—Fencing Bill and Hamilton Volunteer Bill. Second readings—Reprint of Statutes and Timaru Waterworks Bill. The Council went into Committee on the Registration of Electors Bill, and hod nob finished at the adjournment at 5 p.m. EVENING SITTING. The whole time was occupied by committees on several Bills, the principal one being the Representation of Electors Bill. In this many small amendments were made. The Council rejected the proposal of Mr W”son to abolish plural voting. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Fbiday, Novembee 28. The House met at 2.30. PETITIONS, EKPOBTS, NOTICES, BTC. Several petitions and reports were presented. Mr Geoe»b gave notice to ask if the Government were prepared to give a reward for the capture of Hiroki, and to ask why so large a force was maintained on the West Coast. The Waste Lands Committee reported that, in consequence of the increasing work, the chairman should be a salaried officer, similar to the chairman of another committee. The Qualification of Electors and Christchurch Drill Shed Acts were reported from the Legislative Council with amendments. QUESTIONS. Mr Swanson asked the Government what action had been taken to give effect to the recommendation of the Waste Lands Committee in the case of the petitions of the Auckland Navel and Artillery Volunteers, presented on September 2nd, 1878, and reported on. The Pebmieb said the matter had been referred to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and he found that application had not been made in time, but farther inquil/ would be made. The artillery had not served a sufficient time. Mr Shbimski asked the Govei nment what action they intended to take with reference the construction of a telegraph from Oamara to Ngapara, and whether they intend to include the same in the Public Works statement. The Pekmiee said this would involve a larger outlay than was at present wr granted, unless a guarantee was forthcoming. Mr Shbimski rsked whether the members of the Royal Commission appointed by Government to inquire into the management of Auckland Hospital and Lunatic Asylum have been paid for their services as well as the Chairman, Mr W. J. Hurst. The Pebmieb answered in the negative. Mr Pro asked the Native Minister whether the services of Dr. Buffer cannot to dispensed with without any injurious consequence to any person or persons. Mr Bbyob thought it would be better to say how the matter stood. The Government purchases of Native lands assumed considerable magnitude, and counsel was considered necessary. Dr. Buffer’s knowledge of the claims gave him preference for selection for the service, and since then he had represented the Government before various Courts, and was so engaged now. If he were peremptorily dismissed at the present moment, prejudice might arise. The impression conveyed that Dr. Buffer was receiving ten gu ; neas a day, whether engaged on cases or not, was not correct. Mr Hamlin asked the Government when the return asked for on 22nd October, showing the amount of toffs levied at Newmarke', and the expenditure of same, w. 11l be laid before the House. The Pebmieb said they could not furnish the information at present, as the staff wra too much engaged. Mr Sheimbki asked the Government if they will take steps during the recess to have a more careful exploration made than has hitherto been possible in the short interval of time at the disposal of the engineer-in-chief, of the passes in the Kakanui ranges with a view to ascertain whether a practicable route or'-' for a line of railway connecting central Otago with Waitaki and South Canterbury. Mr Olives said the Government were nob yet satisfied that the hue would pay when constructed. Mr Richabdson asked whether Government have any power to give authority to persons, who are at their own cost carrying on establishments for fish culture, to take trout and salmon spawn from the rivers of tho colony ; if so, if they will grant the necessai/ authority, and if not, whether they wffl bring in a Bill next session to give them power to do oo independent of acclimatisation societies. The Pebmieb said the Government had the power, and applications would be considered. Mr Hutchison asked if Government wi” state the amounts paid for saddlery and saddlery requisites in Woffington from month to month during the years 1878-79. The Pebmieb said the expenditure per month last year was £8 3s, and this year £l4 Ss. Tomoana asked the Government whether they intend to introduce a Native Lands Bill this session. Mr Beyce said the Government had already said they feared they would not be able to do justice to it this session. NEW BILLS. Leave was given to introduce the Confiscated Lands Inquiiy, and Maori Prisoners Trials Bills. BILLS PASSED. The District Law Societies Amendment and Kumara Education Reserves Bills were agreed to, and the Bills read a third time and passed. CHEISTOHUECH ELECTION PETITION. On the motion to go into Committee of Supply, Sir Q. Geey rose to move—“ That tho report of the Christchurch City election petition committee be expunged from the journals of the House.” Mr McLean asked the ruling of the Speaker on the propriety of the course pursued. Ho contended that tho resolution could not bo accepted. The Speakbe said no entry had been made on his order. It was an order of the House, and tie House could treat it as it thought proper. Sir G. Geey said bis motion was divided into two paits. The first was to expunge the part of the report referring to himself, and the second to expunge the part referring to Mr Richardson taking his seat. He then proceeded to narrate the circumstances of his double election. At the time of his election for Christchurch the law affirmed his eligibility, and a subsequent law should not have been made retrospective. It was unfair and unheard of that such should be the case. As to the second resolution, affecting Mr Richardson’s return, he said that the committee had told the electors of Christchurch that their votes were of no avail. The law was that oven if the candidate was disqualified, ’the electors should not suffer the o ss of their votes through no fault of their own. Only tho person elected could be disqualified, not tho electors from voting for another. He had brought this motion forward in the interest of 1.350 electors at Christchurch and after all party feeling had cooled down, in order that greater attention might be paid to it.

Tho Pbbmibb said ho was sorry that at this advanced period of tho session the hon.; gentleman had brought forward a motion which could not be carried, add which must occupy a good deal of time. The remarks made would havo been well enough, if addressed to the Committee who heard the f etition, but were out of place at this stage, t would bo a dangerous precedent to go behind tho report* and ruling of Election Petitions Committees by an appeal to tho House, as the former should be respected by tho latter. Their decisions were final, and the House could not well entertain tho motion of the hon, member for the Thames. BTfTMT. i A division wao then taken on the question that the House go into Committee ef Supply: —Ayes, 36; roes, 21. The following is tho division list: — Atbs—36. Messrs Adams Messrs Oliver Allwright Ormond Andrews Pitt Atkinson Pyke Bain Richmond Bowen Richardson Bryce 1 Eolleston Celbeck Saunders Gibbs Seymour Hall Stevens (teller) Hirst Studholmo Hurst (teller) Hursthouso Sutton Kenny Swanson Masters Tomoana McLean Trimble Montgomery Whitaker Murray "Willis Wood Nobs—2l. Messrs Barron Mesrs Reid Be Lautour Seddoa Finn Shephard George Shrimaki Sir G. Grey (teller) Messrs Hamlin Stewart Harris Tainni Hutchison Tawhai Ireland Thomson London Tole (teller) The House then went into committee on the estimates. Department under control of Native Minister, salaries and contingencies. Mr Bbtcb said when he took office estimates were prepared showing a considerable increase, and with a few exceptions ho had drawn his pen through thoso increases. There were many things with which he was dissatisfied. He intended to make an attempt to reduce much of the expenditure in the Department, If he could not improve it he would give it up altogether, and begged the House to remember what he said. [Cheers.] Mr Mohtoombbt asked if steps had been taken to suppress the epidemic amongst the Natives at Aroha and Kaiapoi. Mr Bbtcb said medical assistance and comforts, including wine, had been sent, together with disinfectants. Mr Gisboknb suggested that tho item general contingencies, which was fixed at £6OOO, be reduced by £4OOO, to bring it down to the amount of last year’s vote. Mi Bbtoe said this vote was to meet expenditure already pledged, and the attacks on this item was ;therefore unfair. Ho would repeat that he was quite sincere when he said ho would resign office if he could not reduce the expenditure very materially. Mr Lundon said he would bet his life the hon. gentleman would have to resign then, because much more would he required for some districts north of Auckland than had yet been expended. He had received letters that morning, informing him that the Natives were blazing away at each other in tho Bay of Islands district, and this arose through the negligence of the Government in regard to Native matters in the North. Mohi Tawhai asked for a doctor for Hokianga district, as all they had at present was medicine from a Wesleyan missionary when Natives were sick, and sometimes ha did good and at others did no good. Mr Bbtcb said a doctor was not specially appointed, and the difficulty in the North was that there was no doctor there to appoint. There was one at the mines at Kawakawa, and he had been asked to visit the sick Maoris at Hokianga. Sir G. Qbbt said he was pleased at what ho had heard from tho Native Minister, and suggested that steps should be taken to procure the services of a doctor for the Natives in tho North. He was sorry to hear the decision of Mr Bryce as to the reduction of expenditure or giving up altogether. He hoped tho hon. gentleman would fight to the last, and not give up tho contest so easily. Mr Kkdlt said the next thing the Natives would ask for would be lawyers, and if they got doctors and lawyers, then their last state would be worse than their first.

Tn reply to Mr Hamlin, Mr Brice said the departments in which ho proposed to make reductions would require to bo remodelled, and he could not say at present how ho would make the reduction. He had disallowed many increases, but in some instances he had felt bound to admit promises made.

In reply to Colonel Trimble, Mr Bbtce said he intended to go into the question of assessors, and hoped to be able to reduce the number and salaries. Mr Hutchison hoped the Augean stables would be swept. Mr Hambin questioned the necessity for the item, “ Preparing and translating Native Papers, £450.” Mr Moss and Sir G. Grey supported the item. •MV Andbbws deprecated so large an expenditure upon Natives who were large land owners and wealthy people. Mr Lttndon said the expenditure was for European officers, many of whem tried hard to swindle the Maoris, and were well paid for it. The debate was interrupted at 5.30. EYENING BITTING. SUPPIT. The House resumed in committee on the Native estimates. The vote of £15,742, salaries and contingencies, was passed. Native Land Courts, £9097. The item Chief Judge, £IOOO, was reduced to £BOO, and the item five Judges, at £6oo=£3ooo, reduced to £2500. The vote was adopted as reduced. Native Lands Frauds Prevention Act, 1870, £4BB, passed. . Miscellaneous services, £13,360. The item printing judgments of Native Land Court, £SOO, was reduced £250. On the item expenses Royal Commission Middle Island, £2OOO, a proposal to reduce the sum by £SOO was negatived. The vote was passed as reduced. Crown Lands Department, £16,579, passed. Miscellaneous services, £14,664 (nine months), passed. Coal fields, £413, passed. General Survey Department, £88,000; bonus to Chief Surveyor, Christchurch, £3OO. Mr Shbimski moved that this item be xpunged. A division was taken, the result being ; Ayes, 23; noes, 22. The vote passed as reduced. Photographic and lithographic printing branch, £2llO. Passed.

Mines, £27,010. Mr Subisiski proposed to expunge the items for rewards for gold discoveries, in the North Island £SOOO, South Island £SOOO ; and substitute, prospecting £SOOO. Mr OIITBS suggested that the vote should be reduced by one half rather than withdrawn.

The vote pawed as printed. Colonial Treasurer’s Department Treasury, £6532 ; Land Tax, £5985 ; miscellaneous services, £7123, all passed. Commissioner o£ Customs’ Department:— Customs, £34,235. Several members objected to proposed increases. Major Atkinson stated that the increases were proposed because the system of overtime was dispensed with. The item Collector of Customs, Auckland, £6OO, was reduced by £SO j and the vote passed with this alteration, on the understanding that the Government would make reductions when possible. Miscellaneous services, £10,691. On the item to provide for bonus to be given to exporters of rabbit skins, £BOOO, Mr KeiX/T proposed to reduce this by £4OOO, but the motion was negatived, on the understanding that notice should be given that no bonus will be paid on rabbit skins after the 31st March next. The vote then passed as printed. Marine and Harbor, £53,326—5.5. Hinemoa, including expenses while laying up for six months, £soob. Mr TtjbkbuMi suggested that this item he struck off.

Mr Andbewb thought the Stella should bo got rid of, not the Hinemoa. Mr Sattndebs thought both should be sold.

Major Atkinson said the Stella was necessary for lighthouse work. The Pbbmibb said he would undertake that as soon as West Coast affairs vers bum

settled, and there vat no need for a veesel, ■he might be disposed of. The motion to expunge the item was negatived, and the vote passed as printed. Commissioner of Stamps Department, £4751 ; Land and Deeds Registry, £14,595 ; miscellaneous, £458, were passed. Defence Deportment, Militia andYolunteers, £39,557. 'Xhe Pbbmibb said the estimates provided for the increased capitation allowance, but it was not proposed to ask for this increase. Ha would reduce the capitation in the North Island to £9551, and in the South Island to £8414. . Mr Hislop proposed that the item under the head South Island, Nelson, officer commanding £IOO, be struck out. He did so to test the feeling of the House as to whether the South Island volunteers, who were said to_ be only ornaments, could not be dispensed with. The Pbbmibb said the Government had been compelled to refuse the acceptance of the services of several proposed corps unless they were prepared to serve without capitation allowance. The hon. member for Mongonui and Bay of Islands was indignant, because they could not undertake to pay capitation on a corps in his district. Mr Pitt said he hoped the House would afford some succour to volunteers, and not adopt the harsh measure proposed. Mr WakbpibXiD said he would have liked to support the increase of capitation allowance if the Government could see their way to grant it; but it was no use doing it if they could not. He hoped some means of giving land for services of the kind would be instituted. He trusted no effort would be made to reduce the capitation votes. Mr Tbimbib asked the Government to reconsider the question of accepting the services of volunteer corps, and not refuse them in districts where they might be useful. The motion that the capitation allowance North Island be reduced by £7OO was then put to the vote, the ayes being 29 and the noes 26, The motion was therefore carried, and the item £10,419, North Island capitation allowance reduced by £7OO. Mr Hislop’B motion to strike out_ £IOO, Nelson, officer commanding the district was then discussed. Mr Kenny deprecated the course pursued by the House in thus slighting the volunteers of the colony, especially in the present disturbed state of the colony. He was sure the step would be regretted. The motion was put and negatived. On the item South Island capitation allowance £9593, it was proposed to reduce this sum by £BOO. _ Mr Moobhousb defended the service. He said the capitation allowance was not sufficient by any means to pay the expense and oss of time which volunteers incurred.

The Pbbmibb said he hoped members would remember they were not decreasing the present capitation vote, but simply asking to reduce the proposed increase on the estimates. Mr Moobhousb said he quite understood this, and considered it a piece of cheeseparing. The question that the South Island capita* tion allowance be reduced by £BOO was then put and division taken, the ayes being 33 and the noes 22. The item was reduced. Constabulary and contingent defence, £108,048. The Pbbmibb said he proposed to reduce the item retiring allowances £SOOO by £4OO, Several members suggested that civil servants and police should be obliged to insure their lives.

The motion for the reduction of the item was carried, and the vote passed as reduced. Miscellaneous services, £1975. Mr Shbimski called attention to the items subsidising a drill shed, Picton, £3OO, Wanganui, £3OO, Messrs Haeeis and Hamlin hoped to be able to get such grants for their districts. The vote passed as printed. Colonial Secretary’s Office, estimates for nine months, £1651 and £337 j Messengers’ Department, £2896. Passed. Legislative, £72,089. Mr Tubndui.li proposed to reduce the item £21,575, expenses of members of both Houses, by £2157, being ten per cent. A division wao taken on the question, tho ayes being 27, and the noes 22. The motion was carried. The Committee was still sitting when the telegraph office closed.